Boston Red Sox go with regulars against Northeastern

New Red Sox closer Joel will get the start against Northeastern, mostly because somebody must. It will be an all-relievers doubleheader for Boston.AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Here is the Red Sox starting lineup for Thursday's Game 1 against Northeastern:

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF

Dustin Pedroia, 2B

Shane Victorino, RF

Jonny Gomes, LF

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, DH

Will Middlebrooks, 3B

Stephen Drew, SS

Lyle Overbay, 1B

David Ross, C

Joel Hanrahan, P

Manager John Farrell is playing his regulars in Game 1 to keep them on a regular work schedule, he said. Secondary players will go against Boston College in the nightcap.

Interesting point here is Pedroia and Victorino; both have had great success as No. 2 hitters, but Pedroia is the incumbent.

The lineup will change, of course, when Mike Napoli and David Ortiz start playing. Putting too much stock in a February lineup against a college team is obviously flawed, anyway - after all, Joel Hanrahan is the starting pitcher.

He will pitch one inning on a day in which all 14 innings (seven each against Northeastern and Boston College) will be handled by relievers.